Mary Wilson
Well-known member
20/Jun/2024
https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.25.2400063
Kareinen Lauri, Tammiranta Niina, Kauppinen Ari, Zecchin Bianca, Pastori Ambra, Monne Isabella, Terregino Calogero, Giussani Edoardo, Kaarto Riikka, Karkamo Veera, Lähteinen Tanja, Lounela Hanna, Kantala Tuija, Laamanen Ilona, Nokireki Tiina, London Laura, Helve Otto, Kääriäinen Sohvi, Ikonen Niina, Jalava Jari, Kalin-Mänttäri Laura, Katz Anna, Savolainen-Kopra Carita, Lindh Erika, Sironen Tarja, Korhonen Essi M, Aaltonen Kirsi, Galiano Monica, Fusaro Alice, Gadd Tuija.
Key public health message
What did you want to address in this study and why?
From July to October 2023, Finland experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 on fur farms. We analysed the outbreak to identify the source(s) of the infection and possible transmission routes. We outlined the measures taken to mitigate the impact on human health and to prevent future outbreaks.
What have we learnt from this study?
We detected the HPAI H5N1 virus on 27 fur farms and showed that the virus belonged to the genotype circulating in wild birds in the same area. Thus, the outbreak was likely caused by direct contact with infected wild birds followed by virus transmission within and between farms, as suggested by genomic and epidemiological data. This finding highlighted the need to improve biosecurity measures on fur farms.
What are the implications of your findings for public health?
This outbreak demonstrated the vulnerability of fur farms to pathogens that can have severe human health implications. The virus spread efficiently in the farmed animals, creating many opportunities for spillover to humans. Strict biosecurity measures to cut transmission routes and robust surveillance in animals and exposed people for early detection of infections are required for safe fur farming practices.
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have dominated among influenza virus infections in wild and domestic avian species in Europe since October 2020 [1], with several reported spillover events to wild mammals, mostly carnivores [2-4]. In autumn 2021, HPAI A(H5N1) caused deaths in reared pheasants and wild mammals in southern Finland [5]. Since then, outbreaks of HPAI subtype A(H5N1) among wild birds and wild mammals have been reported in multiple regions in Finland (updated online map of Finnish HPAI outbreaks available at the Finnish Food Authority (FFA), www.ruokavirasto.fi). In October 2022, HPAI A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b infection was detected in Spain in a single fur farm housing 50,000 animals. The outbreak was contained by culling all animals on the affected facility [6].
Finland is a major producer of furs (1.5–2 million animals annually), and the species commercially farmed for fur include the arctic (blue) fox (Vulpes lagopus), the red (silver) fox (Vulpes vulpes), fox crossbreeds, the mink (Neovison vison), the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and the sable (Martes zibellina) (https://fifur.fi/). Half of the animals reared are foxes, 41% are minks, 9% are raccoon dogs and < 0.1% sables. Most farms breed more than one species and according to the Central Database for Animal Keepers and Establishments maintained by the FFA, there are ca 450 fur animal holdings (accessed: 15 October 2023). Finland has a national plan for animal disease surveillance and in 2023, passive surveillance for HPAI in fur animals was added to the plan [7]. ...
https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.25.2400063
https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.25.2400063
Kareinen Lauri, Tammiranta Niina, Kauppinen Ari, Zecchin Bianca, Pastori Ambra, Monne Isabella, Terregino Calogero, Giussani Edoardo, Kaarto Riikka, Karkamo Veera, Lähteinen Tanja, Lounela Hanna, Kantala Tuija, Laamanen Ilona, Nokireki Tiina, London Laura, Helve Otto, Kääriäinen Sohvi, Ikonen Niina, Jalava Jari, Kalin-Mänttäri Laura, Katz Anna, Savolainen-Kopra Carita, Lindh Erika, Sironen Tarja, Korhonen Essi M, Aaltonen Kirsi, Galiano Monica, Fusaro Alice, Gadd Tuija.
Key public health message
What did you want to address in this study and why?
From July to October 2023, Finland experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 on fur farms. We analysed the outbreak to identify the source(s) of the infection and possible transmission routes. We outlined the measures taken to mitigate the impact on human health and to prevent future outbreaks.
What have we learnt from this study?
We detected the HPAI H5N1 virus on 27 fur farms and showed that the virus belonged to the genotype circulating in wild birds in the same area. Thus, the outbreak was likely caused by direct contact with infected wild birds followed by virus transmission within and between farms, as suggested by genomic and epidemiological data. This finding highlighted the need to improve biosecurity measures on fur farms.
What are the implications of your findings for public health?
This outbreak demonstrated the vulnerability of fur farms to pathogens that can have severe human health implications. The virus spread efficiently in the farmed animals, creating many opportunities for spillover to humans. Strict biosecurity measures to cut transmission routes and robust surveillance in animals and exposed people for early detection of infections are required for safe fur farming practices.
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b have dominated among influenza virus infections in wild and domestic avian species in Europe since October 2020 [1], with several reported spillover events to wild mammals, mostly carnivores [2-4]. In autumn 2021, HPAI A(H5N1) caused deaths in reared pheasants and wild mammals in southern Finland [5]. Since then, outbreaks of HPAI subtype A(H5N1) among wild birds and wild mammals have been reported in multiple regions in Finland (updated online map of Finnish HPAI outbreaks available at the Finnish Food Authority (FFA), www.ruokavirasto.fi). In October 2022, HPAI A(H5N1) 2.3.4.4b infection was detected in Spain in a single fur farm housing 50,000 animals. The outbreak was contained by culling all animals on the affected facility [6].
Finland is a major producer of furs (1.5–2 million animals annually), and the species commercially farmed for fur include the arctic (blue) fox (Vulpes lagopus), the red (silver) fox (Vulpes vulpes), fox crossbreeds, the mink (Neovison vison), the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and the sable (Martes zibellina) (https://fifur.fi/). Half of the animals reared are foxes, 41% are minks, 9% are raccoon dogs and < 0.1% sables. Most farms breed more than one species and according to the Central Database for Animal Keepers and Establishments maintained by the FFA, there are ca 450 fur animal holdings (accessed: 15 October 2023). Finland has a national plan for animal disease surveillance and in 2023, passive surveillance for HPAI in fur animals was added to the plan [7]. ...
https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.25.2400063